Combined spark-plug and spark-gap



APPLICATION FILED FEB 7.1916.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

71 MW W bit WILLIAM C. BRUNKE AND HARRY D. CLARKE, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

COMBINED SPARK-PLUG AND SPARK-GAP.

JlJlEPddt-at.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 115, M116.

Application filed February 7, 1916. Serial No. 76,531.

plug and spark gap, and has for its principal. object to provide such aconstruction that vibration of parts usually caused by jolting of thevehicle and action of the engine, and the formation of short circuits,may be avoided. v

The invention also has reference to the provision of. parts which, whenassembled, will form a compact structure tooccupy a limited space in theengine bonnet, and will permit stresses to be applied to advantage whenconnecting the parts to prevent breakage of the fianges,.threads orprojections of the cylindrical fiber block employed.

With the foregoing objects in view and others to be hereinaftermentioned, the invention presents a novel construction, combination andarrangement of. parts as time scribed herein and claimed, and asillustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a combined spark plug and 'sparkgap embodying our invention, the wall of anengine cylinder beingshown insection. Fig, is a view of the device in longitudinal section. Fig. 3 isa sectional view of the metallic cylindrical jacket, taken at rightangles to the view thereof shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side View of acylindrical insulating block. Fig. 5 is a view in longitudinal sectionof an insulating sleeve taken at right angles to thevview thereof shownin Fig. 2. Referring now to the drawing for a nioi'e particulardescription, numeral 6 indicates the cylindrical housing or groundelectrode of a spark plug,-the conventional insulating core 7 in whichthe conductor 8 is mounted, being securely held in said housing 6 bymeans of the coupling 9 which is, threaded in the housing and bearing onthe packing ring 10.

The spark gap consists, in part, of a cylindrical, metallic jacket 11having its top 12 provided with a central aperture 13, and

"end of the insulating core 4 provided at the junction of its top andside wall with an annular ridge 14, a comparatively large aperture 15being formed in one of its sides and extending near to its bottom fromthe ridge 14;.

Numeral 16 indicates a cylindrical insulatmg block traversed centrallyby the conductor 8, the conductor extending outwardly or above the blocka considerable distance, comparatively, to provide one of the conductorsor electrodes of the spark gap. Said member 16 is provided at its lowerend with an annular flange 17, its upper end being provided, to openthereon, with an annular groove 18, and, as indicated at 19, said memberhas a threaded part to provide a mounting thereon of the cylindricaljacket 11.

Numeral 20 indicates an insulating sleeve provided at its upper end withan annular groove or recess 21, and preferably, has apertures 22 formedin its opposed sides, midway between itsends. At 23 is indicated anelectrode which, preferably is threaded in a washer 24, and a nut 25 isprovided for compressing the conductor 26 therebetween, the inner end ofthe electrode 23 preferably being tapered and disposed adjacent to theupper end of the conductor 8 and in line with apertures 22.

The cylindrical insulating block 16 is preferably-constructed of fiberand is of such a diameterthat it will provide an adequate support forthe parts of the spark gap while its flat, lower end abuts upon the fiatupper of the spark plug. When the parts are assembled, the flange 17 ofthe cylindrical insulating block is disposed inwardly of the flange 27of the coupling 9. and by means of the nut 28 which is threaded on theouter end of the conductor 8; the block 16 may be pressed firmly uponthe end of member 7 and on this account the flange 17 will bepractically relieved of all transverse stresses, which. otherwise mighttend to cause its fracture.

The insulating sleeve 20 is adapted to be disposed loosely in thecylindrical jacket 11, its grooves 21, however. receiving the annularridge 14 of the metallic jacket in such a manner that these parts are incontact to thereby prevent any independent movement or vibration of thissleeve with reference to said jacket, and the lower end of this sleeveis mounted in the annular groove 18 of the insulating block 16, itsengagement therein being such that it will sustain no vibrationindependently of said block.

Since the inner end of the metallic jacket is threaded in the fiberblock 16 it is obvious that the parts may be conveniently connected ordisconnected, also that the electrode 23 may be adjusted longitudinallyto be disposed at a greater or lesser distance from the conductor 8, forincreasing or decreasing the intensity of the spark, as may be required,also the metallic jacket may be so disposed that its aperture 15 will beat the front of either of the apertures 22 of the insulating sleeve 20,as may be desired, the opposite aperture 22 of said sleeve being coveredby the jacket to protect the parts from injury.

Among some of the advantages to be derived by use of the invention, itmaybe stated that since the parts which provide the spark gap arepractically a part of the spark plug, the expense attending theprovision of detached devices for intensifying the spark, may beavoided. The device is arranged for convenient use and is not obtrusive,and on account of the' insulation and the mounting of parts asdescribed, short circuits and vibrations will be practically eliminated.

Having fully explained construction, a further description relating tooperation is not necessary. While details have been shown, and, theirfunctions pointed out, it will be understood that many of these detailsmay be changed,and the size, form and proportion of parts may bechanged, the scope of the invention being determined by thexclaim.

We claim:

A spark-plug, including an electrode, an insulating plug or member withsaid electrode extending therethrough, a second insulating member alsohaving said electrode extending through it, one of said insulatingmembers fitting squarely upon the other insulating member, means adaptedto provide for exerting pressure from said electrode upon one insulatingmember and through said insulating member, upon the other insulatingmember, a. third insulating member superposing one of the aforesaidinsulating members, a housing for the first-referred to insulatingmember, a coupling between said housing and the second insulatingmember, the latter having a flange engaged by said coupling, a jackethaving a. viewable opening therein, for said third insulating memberadjustablyconnected to said second insulating member, said thirdinsulating member having a reduced upper end engaged by an inner ridgeof said jacket, the second insulating member having an upper reduced endforming a seat for the lower end oi said third insulating member, asecond electrode mounted in the upper end of said jacket, forpositioning with respect to the first-referred to electrode, and meansfor adjustably supporting said second electrode in said acket.

In testimony whereof, we have atlixed our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM (J. BRUNKEi HARRY D. CLARKE.

Witnesses:

HIRAM A. STURGES, ARTHUR M. Srouense

